Local businesses have been reaching out to the City of Moose Jaw to inquire about a one-time $500 property tax credit.

Moose Jaw City Council passed the motion to start taking applications for the program during its May 11 meeting.

Mayor Fraser Tolmie explains the criteria in order to qualify for the credit.

“So the criteria that we’ve put out is based upon being a non-essential service that had to close down due to the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions that were laid out by the province,” Tolmie said.

The program is limited to Class A and B businesses that were deemed non-essential.

“Class A businesses are businesses that generate income less than $50,000 in annual sales and Class B businesses are businesses that generate income less than $500,000 in annual sales,” Tolmie said.

As of May 29, Tolmie said the city has had about 13 business inquire asking for information about the tax credit program.

The city estimates there are about 315 Class A and B businesses in the city that would be deemed non-essential that could qualify for the program.

If all of the businesses received the tax credit, the city estimates it would cost $157,000, which would be funded through the surplus reserve account.